Limitations and Opportunities of Telemedicine

This chapter explores the integration of telecommunications, computer hardware, and robotics for effective telepresence surgery. Focusing on non-robotic aspects, it addresses key technical challenges hindering a realistic and safe telepresence environment. The historical progression, from early telemedical initiatives to recent advancements, is outlined. Technical challenges, including latency in data transmission and optimized telepresence, are examined. Despite obstacles, the global COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telemedicine adoption. Telesurgery, as an evolution of traditional surgery, faces distinct challenges, including video signal quality, latency, and the need for enhanced telepresence. Overcoming these challenges is critical for realizing the potential benefits of telesurgery.